The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has defended its recruitment of a new chief executive, saying foreign nationals who applied for the job were knocked out at the very first stage and that only Kenyan citizens made it to the shortlist.

In a statement reported by The Star and Capital FM on Saturday, the commission responded to questions raised after it published the names of all 304 people who applied to be Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. An electoral reform coalition had earlier flagged 44 names on the list and given the commission 24 hours to explain them.

'Any person can apply'

The commission said the presence of non-Kenyan names on the list did not mean non-citizens were ever considered for the post.

"Any person can apply, but not everyone qualifies," the IEBC said, adding that this is normal whenever a job is openly advertised. It said applicants' citizenship and academic papers were verified during preliminary screening and those who did not qualify were dropped.

The commission said it published the full list in the interest of transparency, citing the right of access to information under Article 35 of the Constitution and the values of public service under Article 232. It asked the public to ignore what it described as attempts to politicise the process, which it called "transparent, competitive and merit-based".

What the job requires

  • Kenyan citizenship
  • A degree recognised in Kenya
  • At least five years' experience in senior management
  • Compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity, and the IEBC Act

The IEBC said it hired KPMG Kenya to handle advertising, receipt of applications, long-listing, verification and shortlisting. The post was advertised in newspapers, on the commission's website and on its social media pages.

Nine names, interviews next month

Nine candidates have been shortlisted, according to The Standard. They include NACADA chief executive Anthony Omerikwa and former EACC chief executive Halakhe Waqo, alongside Harley Mutisya, Edmund Malitt, Andrew Kimani, Mohamed Abdi, Edward Ngeywa, Martina Yattani and Nelly Ilongo. Interviews are scheduled for November 12 and 13.

The position is one of the most sensitive at the electoral body. The CEO is the commission's accounting officer and heads the secretariat that runs voter registration, procurement of election technology and the logistics of the August 2027 General Election, now less than 300 days away. The commission, chaired by Erastus Edung Ethekon, has been under pressure from civil society and opposition leaders to fill the post with someone seen as independent.

Photos: The Star; The Standard. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.